Sanjay Manjrekar blasts Rajasthan Royals over controversial Ravindra Jadeja call

Ali Naseer · 30/05/2026 · 3 min read

A Tactical Collapse in the Knockouts

The dream of lifting the IPL 2026 trophy came to a crashing halt for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as they succumbed to a seven-wicket defeat against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2. While the result was undoubtedly painful for the franchise’s passionate fanbase, the aftermath has been dominated by a debate over tactical blunders. Chief among those critiquing the team’s management is former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who did not mince his words when discussing the questionable decision-making process displayed on the field in New Chandigarh.

The Ravindra Jadeja Dilemma

The controversy centers on the management of Ravindra Jadeja during the high-stakes encounter. Promoted to number four to provide stability, the veteran all-rounder looked in sublime touch. He was anchoring the innings effectively, accumulating 34 runs off just 19 balls, before a stinging blow to his arm from GT pacer Jason Holder brought his momentum to a standstill. Having battled tennis elbow issues previously, the pain was evident, and Jadeja was forced to retire hurt after receiving medical attention on the pitch.

However, the situation took a bizarre turn. Despite the initial injury, the Rajasthan Royals coaching staff opted to send the struggling all-rounder back into the middle after the dismissal of Jofra Archer. While Jadeja showed immense grit, finishing with an unbeaten 45 off 35 balls to help post a total of 214/8, Manjrekar questioned the logic of exposing an injured player to further physical risk during such a critical knockout game.

Questionable Batting Order Decisions

The criticism from Manjrekar extended beyond the injury management. He pointedly questioned the team’s decision to promote Jofra Archer ahead of the explosive Donovan Ferreira in the batting order. While Archer has provided valuable cameos in the past, he struggled against the Gujarat Titans, managing only 7 runs from 4 deliveries.

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Conversely, Donovan Ferreira proved his immense value when he finally stepped up to the crease. Batting at number eight, the South African unleashed a blistering 38 not out from just 11 deliveries, including a spectacular display of power-hitting in the final over. Manjrekar’s perspective on the matter was clear, as he shared his frustration on social media: “Still can’t get over the poor call by RR to put Jadeja back in after he had retired hurt & then have Jofra Archer come before Donovan Ferreira.”

Missed Opportunities

The tactical choices made by Rajasthan were further highlighted by the magnificent performance of young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who struck a brilliant 96 off 47 balls. With such a strong foundation laid by Sooryavanshi and a late flurry from Ferreira, one cannot help but wonder what the final total might have been had the team’s batting order been optimized to play to the strengths of the players in form.

Ultimately, the Rajasthan Royals found no answer for the Gujarat Titans’ chase, which was spearheaded by a masterful century from Shubman Gill. As the dust settles on their 2026 campaign, the internal discussions regarding these strategic lapses will likely be intense. For observers like Manjrekar, the match served as a stark reminder that in high-pressure T20 cricket, tactical clarity is just as vital as raw talent. The Rajasthan Royals will now look toward the future, hoping to learn from these high-profile mistakes as they rebuild for the next season.

Ali Naseer

Ali Naseer is a senior sports correspondent for The News International, known for his authoritative coverage of Pakistan cricket and his razor‑sharp technical analysis. A graduate of the University of Karachi, he began his career documenting club cricket in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Northern Areas, bringing to light the raw fast‑bowling talent that has become Pakistan’s hallmark. Ali’s work now spans global ICC tournaments and every edition of the Pakistan Super League, where he is a familiar face in the press box. He combines an intimate knowledge of the domestic structure with an ability to break down high‑pressure match situations for a national readership. His columns on the art of reverse swing and the history of Pakistani pace bowlers have become essential reading for fans. Twice honoured by the APNS and his own paper, Ali remains dedicated to telling the stories of the players and places that keep Pakistan cricket alive.